PASIR GUDANG: A total of 5,648 hotspots or flood-prone areas have been identified by the Fire and Rescue Department for the ongoing North-East Monsoon period.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said leave applications will only be frozen based on the severity of the situation to ensure that the department will have enough manpower.

“The state with the most hotspots is Sarawak with 1,066, followed by Sabah with 798, Pahang with 750, Johor with 754, and Kelantan with 617.

“We have also identified 186 waterfalls and 254 critical slopes where landslides can occur.

“At the moment, the department has 13,435 personnel and officers on standby, along with 2,224 auxiliary firemen at 337 fire stations around the country,” he told reporters after the Excellent Service Award 2022 presentation at a resort here on Tuesday (Nov 14).

Only 20% of the total manpower will be allowed to apply for leave, while the rest will be on station throughout the monsoon season, he added.

“The current weather is unpredictable, which is why we are not imposing a total freeze on leave.

“If the flood affects a certain state, then leave for the personnel in that state will be frozen,” he said.